Eye problems in pets: what are the causes and symptoms, how to help a pet?

Common problems with the eye in animals are traumas, infections, hereditary diseases, as well as the cause of disorders in the organ of vision can be a failure in metabolism.

Guardians should be more attentive to their pets, because ophthalmologic pathologies in the animal are not always manifested by pronounced symptoms. Among the signs of a problem with the eye are the following:

• Abundant discharge from the eyes. It may be of different consistency and color. Regular discharge of tears may indicate a violation of the tear outflow. If the substance has a white or green color, this is the result of bacterial growth in the tear, which can lead to pathology. The process can be either unilateral or bilateral. A frequent cause of abnormal discharge is infectious diseases.
• Reddened mucous membrane of the eyelids. Can indicate the development of conjunctivitis or the presence of a chronic infectious disease. Often redness is accompanied by abundant ocular discharge.
• Ocular discomfort. The pet squints his eyelids, feeling itching in the eye area. Sometimes there is an extension of the third eyelid due to trauma to the cornea, glaucoma or other disease. It is important to react in time to the fact that the animal is uncomfortable, otherwise over time it can lose vision.
• The pet has stopped noticing objects in its path. It is likely that vision has deteriorated or blindness has set in. This can happen suddenly: with hereditary pathologies, even in young cats and dogs. Blindness can also be the result of a systemic disease.
• Clouding or whitening of the eye. A sign of glaucoma, injury to the eyeball or cornea.
• Change in the color of the eye. Occurs with iris neoplasms, inflammation inside the eye, systemic infectious diseases.
• Distinct diameters of the pupils and the absence of their reaction to light. This is a symptom of a neurological disorder or damage to the optic nerve and retina.

Eye ailments are a serious problem. If you see at least one of these symptoms, you should treat it with due attention.

How can I help my pet with an eye problem?

Do not drip your pet's eyes with drops intended for humans. With them you will not help, but only harm. The only drops that can be used are saline solution, but only if dust or sand has gotten into the eye.

If you want to help the animal not to experience unpleasant symptoms, do not resort to self-medication. You will not be able to properly diagnose the problem and your actions will be simply futile at best. It is also important to realize that problems with the eye are not always isolated - their involvement can speak of a serious pathological process.

Notice symptoms characteristic of eye disease or injury? Contact Animal Clinic right away. Our veterinary ophthalmologist will examine the patient, prescribe diagnostics and, based on the results, appropriate treatment.